Speaking Out

I tried to learn French in university once, only to scrape by with a C+. Languages are not my forte, linguistically speaking. After reading Gary Chapman’s book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, I discovered a kind of language I enjoy learning: love.

I’ve always been one for planning my life ahead of schedule, even years in advance. I tend to go overboard often. The evidence is all over the day planner I use at school: a scribble in the margins here, a small number there, all marking just how long I have until the important dates coming up on my life, like graduation or signing up for classes for my first semester of university.

A jar of freshly squeezed juice or a bowl of fruit are my constant companions as I walk through my school or pause for lunch. The lingering smell of sweet oranges, berries or bananas often draw the attention of those around me.

My first year of university is finally over. Academically, I held my head above water, but socially, I found myself unable to fit in. I am enrolled in a Life Sciences program, where there isn’t much racial diversity. As one of the few black people, I found myself struggling with my self-identity.

On my morning commute to work, I grabbed a newspaper in the subway and was shocked to read what was on the cover: Female students from Newmarket, Ont.’s Sacred Heart High School were the targets of a “sex-or-not” web site.

Many of my schoolmates say they wish that religion wasn’t a mandatory class and that they could enrol in other classes more beneficial to their future academic or professional goals. I disagree. So I spoke with two of my religion teachers to get their perspective on the matter.

When I look back to some of the times in life when my faith has been strongest, I can’t help but reminisce on the past few summers. These times have helped me recognize Christ’s presence in my life.

Since January I’ve been studying in Singapore. I arrived knowing that the government protected religious freedom, which initially surprised me when I learned about it last year. The country is considered a multi-religious nation where this freedom is enshrined in the constitution. I had thought that because it was located in Asia, there would be stricter government control over religious practice. But being a Catholic in Singapore is no different than practising back in Toronto.